iPhone may steal this Android anti-theft feature

Theft Detection Lock in iOS 27?

Summary created by Smart Answers AI

In summary:

• Tech Advisor reports that Apple is developing a theft detection lock feature for iPhones, similar to Android 15’s anti-snatch technology that automatically secures devices when stolen.
• The system uses iPhone’s accelerometer data and Apple Watch proximity to detect snatching motions, then applies area-based access restrictions and integrates with existing Stolen Device Protection.
• This security enhancement may launch with iOS 27 and iPhone 18, though the timeline remains uncertain according to code spotted by developers.

Apple is reportedly planning on pinching one of Android’s best security features for the iPhone.

When it comes to locking down your data and keeping your phone safe, Apple is generally ahead of the game. The likes of Find My, Activation Lock, and Stolen Device Protection are leading the industry.

However, one area where Android has stolen a march in recent years is with physical device security. More specifically, ever since 2024’s Android 15, Google’s mobile platform has been able to detect when your phone is snatched from your hand and lock your phone up tight.

Google calls this useful feature Theft Detection Lock (check out our rundown here), and Apple is reportedly looking to emulate it in a future version of iOS.

9to5Mac has spotted code (though it doesn’t provide any further context) that suggests Apple is working on its own anti-snatch system.

How Apple’s Theft Detection Lock will work

The feature will rely on a number of signals, including the iPhone’s accelerometer and its distance to a linked Apple Watch, to detect when your phone is snatched.

It’ll also take into account the usual factors that apply to Apple’s Stolen Device Protection feature, including whether the iPhone is on a familiar WiFi network or in a familiar location.

Talking of Apple’s Stolen Device Protection, the new system would apply the same area-based access restrictions when an iPhone is locked down.

The report isn’t sure when Apple will implement this theft-protection feature into iOS, but we’ll be keeping an eye out for it when iOS 27 rolls around.

After an expected reveal at Apple’s WWDC developer conference in June, look out for iOS 27 alongside the iPhone 18 and first-ever foldable iPhone later this year.

Will a version of Theft Detection Lock be included? Only time will tell.